What Makes the 718 Spyder RS So Good & Would a Manual ‘Really’ Make It Better?

The 718 Spyder RS is brilliant, but not perfect. We take a look at the highs and lows of the latest Porsche RS model.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has been announced and the automotive press is going wild. I include myself in that going wild crowd. Without even driving the car, I can confidently predict that this will likely go down as one of the best Porsche sports cars. It will almost certainly be the last great 718 before it is transitioned to an all-electric sports car.

Looking from a purely historical context, this Spyder is what Porsche is all about. A mid-engine roadster that can stir the soul. But what specifically makes this Spyder RS so enticing? And as great as is it, are there any let downs with Porsches latest RS plaything?

After having some time to calm down after the initial announcement I took a step back and looked with a bit more critical eye at the Spyder RS. Offering it with only the PDK transmission is not a dealbreaker.

Or is it?

Is this car better than a 911? Better than the GT4 RS? What lifts this car up, and what lets it down? Keep in mind that I am trying to get an allocation, and if one comes my way, I will not hesitate to buy it. For me to part with that kind of money, I need to love the car–and I do.

But it isn’t perfect.

1. PDK Is OK

Porsche has positioned their RS cars as the most track focused in their lineup. And since the PDK can shift faster than any human, that is what you get in the RS cars. That is not a hardship because the PDK is utterly brilliant. You can always pop it into manual mode and control your own gears that way if you want.

Otherwise stick it in drive, go into Sport Plus mode and be amazed at how telepathic the shifting is without you doing any of it. You just focus on where you are going and enjoy the ride. Some folks will try to tell you that an automatic transmission is boring.

But I challenge you to get in this car and charge down your favorite back road on an early Sunday morning and arrive at your destination feeling bored. No chance.

Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.